ManyIrons

Greetings all, long time - no post. Like FOG I too received some Scouting handbooks for Father's Day. My wife found them at a local used book sale and snatched up the following for me: - Handbook for Scoutmasters, Vol 1. (3rd edition, 1941) - Handbook for Patrol Leaders. (1944) - Handbook for Boys. (5th Edition, 1957) - Fieldbook (1973). Tucked inside the Fieldbook was a small recipe pamphlet called "Souper Camp Cookery" produced by the Campbell's Soup Company. It's undated, but appears to have been printed for the 6th National Jamboree. I absolut(This message has been edited by ManyIrons)

Aw great! Now we're all humming it.

I stumbled over this on the net this morning -- sounds as though Scouting still survives in Iraq. I'm a bit surprised that this isn't getting more air-play -- then again, maybe I'm not. Bottom line: this is certainly encouraging. Here's the link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,119658,00.html Looks like you'll need to cut and paste the link to make it work.(This message has been edited by ManyIrons)

Woo-Hoo, I'm in too Balding Eagle! Scouter-Terry whatever you did worked, I can now access this site from home. Thanks!! ASM1: "WAHSAP" (PASHAW right back atcha). You're possibly half correct, the problem appears to be due to a new firewall installed by this site (see Scouter-Terry's April 29th post). However it seems only to have caused a problem with Norton Personal Firewall and judging from the a few of the posts it was specific to the version in Norton Internet Security 2004.

AggieScouter hit it on the head. The project would not be approved because it would benefit an individual. According to the BSA website (emphasis mine): "Routine labor (a job or service normally rendered) should not be considered. Work involving council property or other BSA activity is not permitted. The project also may not be performed for a business or an individual, be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser." Here's the link: www.scouting.org/boyscouts/eagleproject/projects.html I agree with everyone else who said this would make a great troop project -- I'd recommend you treat it like an Eagle Project and get the boys involved in the planning. It would be excellent "practice" for their upcoming projects.

Here are two you might be able to modify to suit your needs: http://www.scouts.asn.au/cerem_sc.html http://www.netwoods.com/cermonies/invest.html I'd also check in the Troop Program Resources booklet (formerly Woods Wisdom).

Eagle, I know I've seen what you want, but can't remember exactly where I saw it. I thought there was a copy at www.inquiry.net. I took a quick look last night, but couldn't locate it. Still, might be worth a look for you. I'll check my other sources. When do you need it?

Thanks Terry!

Purcelce, I completed my latest stint as an "exec" last Friday, and I'm once again a commoner. Hmmmm, I didn't have any trouble with this site until I finished that job -- coincidence? Nope, it's definitely Norton... or this site ... or an upgrade ... or something. All joking aside, how are the rest of you Norton users fairing? Any progress? I've sent a PM to Scouter-Terry. Hopefully we'll hear something soon.

Packsaddle, since you have automatic updates I didn't think you'd find anything. I also have auto update, so we should have the same config. However, I'm running "Norton Internet Security 2004", what version are you using?

Also, has anyone else noticed that every thread began after Apr 23rd shows "Read 0 Times"? In other words, every new thread started after last Friday is not counting the number of times it has been read. Check it out. As of this moment there are 35 active threads on this site and 22 of them are not counting visits -- all of them began after the 23rd. It appears that something changed on this site o/a Apr 23rd -- the day a few of us began having problems. Is it a coincidence? Scouter Terry, where are you?

The problem is with Norton. I disabled Norton last night and was able to connect instantly. When I re-enabled it I immediately lost access to the site -- I get a "501 - Not Implemented" error. The question is why in Norton barring access to the site? Was it caused by an update in the Norton software or a change to the site? Packsaddle, stupid question: when did you last update your Norton security software? I believe (didn't have time to check last night) mine updated right around the time I began having problems. Can any other Norton users confirm this?

This site is the only one I'm having trouble with. I've followed all the troubleshooting suggestions in the Norton manual and I've checked my pc security settings, I even have Scouter.com set as a Trusted Site. Nothing as yet has worked. All I know is that I was able to connect at approx. 6:30PM Friday (central time) but couldn't connect later in the evening. The only step I haven't tried is to disable Norton. I'll try that this evening.

I have Norton on my home computer and haven't been able to connect to Scouter.com since last Friday (23 Apr). I've had Norton on my pc for a few months and everything was working fine. Something's obviously changed either with this site or with my latest Norton update.

Eamonn, Thanks for the "Easter Eggs" in your post. How appropriate. As for Semolina Pilchard's climbing activities, all I can say is "Elementary Penguins singing hare krishna, Man you should've seen them kicking Edgar Allen Poe." OGE, will probably have more to say.

Shell, if you haven't already done so, try typing "Life to Eagle" into your favorite search engine. Apologies for offering "obvious" advice, but I did this several months ago and got about 10 pages worth of "hits". The only drawback to this method is that you have to slog through them all to find the ones that you like. If nothing else it may provide some "inspiration fodder". One on-line package I've found very useful is the "Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Planning Guide" (http://home.flash.net/~smithrc/eagleprj.htm) written by a Scouter in the Longhorn Council. It's an unofficial companion to the BSA Eagle Project Workbook but it's been very helpful to some of our local Life Scouts. Hope this helps.

Thanks Laurie, I'll check it out. I've already got the Advancement Committee guide along with the Insignia Guide, SM Handbook and Troop Committee Guide. I've started carrying them all with me in my Scouting "Brain Book".

Great reference Laurie. Where did you get your copy? If it's from BSA, what is the pub number?

Thanks folks, it's perhaps a bit clearer to me -- sure wish there was something from BSA in writing. To answer Laurie's question, no I'm not being challenged. As I mentioned in another thread, our troop will be having a big meeting to discuss troop operations and all adult positions will be reviewed. I understand the SM side of the house and I want to be able to participate intelligently when we discuss the committee portion. As for the issue of registered vs volunteer I'd say I'm naturally biased toward having folks registered. However; there's plenty of room around the table and I, for one, wouldn't turn any help away. Eamonn, thanks for the suggestion about the unit charter. I'll check that out. To everyone else who responded, thanks for the insights and suggestions. I'll draw on that feedback during our troop meeting.

Coming at cha Hops -- in a day or so, email is "sick" at the moment.

Yes, but may an adult be appointed to a supplemental position (e.g. Recycled Uniform Coordinator, Summer Camp Coordinator, etc.) as a volunteer only or must they be registered? I'm not talking about a one-time project, but an on-going assignment. As before, can anyone cite me an official BSA source? If I sound like I'm nitpicking it's not intentional -- just trying to clarify.

Hey Hops, I forgot to answer your other 2 questions: Color is tricky. I used to favor a program-related color scheme (e.g. Blue & yellow for Cubs; tan & red for Scouts), but my tastes have changed and I now favor a simpler look a.k.a. white pages. That doesn't mean devoid of color. I like to have colored borders or menus on pages I have built, but I like to keep the middle portion of the screen white to make it easier to read the text. I also favor white because most of the graphics you'll find on the web have a white background. If your page is white you can avoid those annoying white "boxes" around your graphics. Yes, there are transparent images, but they're usually a little too ragged for my liking. As for what kind of info to include, my answer is to first decide who your target audience is. Is the site going to be an advertisement for the troop or will it be a communication and reference tool for the troop members. I believe most people would say both, but it's a personal preference. Once you determine who your focus group is that will help you define your content. I taught a class at University of Scouting for the past 2 years titled "How to Build a Unit Website". It didn't tell you how to acutally build it per se, just the factors to consider and methods that can be used when designing/constructing a Scouting website. If you have PowerPoint I can send you the slides I used in class.

Thanks for the link Laurie, I'll never ceased to be amazed at what is on the national site, sure wish they had an amazing menu to help locate the info Hops, if you haven't done so already, check out the council's website guidelines. Although they don't address photos, there are many other rules to follow. Don't worry though, they're not burdensome.

Quick question regarding rules for membership on the troop committee: Must you be a registered adult in order to claim committee membership? I don't mean positions such as the CC, or Secretary, or Training Coordinator, etc. -- those are obvious. I'm talking about all the adjunct positions that seem to have sprung up in various troops, i.e., "Clothes Closet Coordinator, Summer Camp Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, etc. Many that I've seen appear to be subdivisions of existing committee positions, while others seem to fall into the category of "member-at-large". I've seen the latter listed on a few troop websites, but not in any BSA literature. In fact I can't find anything that discusses committee membership rules -- even the Troop Committee Guidebook. If anyone can provide the answer and the source, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for the input folks. My troop is having a meeting for all of our registered adults to discuss troop operations and this will be one of the items on the agenda. Ill use your feedback to help frame some recommendations. Heres my info: On paper weve now got 8 ASMs. 1 is already our ASM- Venture Patrol, Life-to-Eagle counselor, and High Adventure coordinator. 1 will become our ASM- NSP. 1 Shows up very infrequently due to work schedule. 1 Shows up about half the time, but usually just "visits" with the other parents. 1 Shows up regularly and claims he wants something to do, but exercises no initiative. It's quite apparent that hes really only there to wet nurse his kid. The kid actually doesnt need it, but plays the guy like a fiddle. 2 are recently graduated Eagles. 1 shows up infrequently and the other attends regularly but waits to be given something to do. 1 is writing this post. We obviously need some work. ***************************************** Side note to Eagle Foot. Yes they are required to tell the SM. Please re-read the last 5 words of the quote in my initial post: and reports to the Scoutmaster thats pretty explicit. The guidebook also states that the SM is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. These folks have already driven off one SM and their actions show that they have no respect for you. In my opinion youve only got two options. 1. Put your foot down, engage the CC and COR (although one wonders where they were when the last SM quit) and get control of your program. 2. Find a new troop and put your talents to work in an organization that believes in and follows the methods of Scouting. The worst thing you can do is to simply tolerate their behavior and allow things to continue as they are. Hope this doesnt sound too harsh, but I hate to see people taken advantage of. Best of luck to you. Please let us know how you fare. YIS